This is for all who’ve grown up in North Bergen and can’t seem to let go of the wonderful (and terrible) things experienced there.
1. NBHS.
Everyone who either didn’t get into High Tech or never applied came here. Most of us made all of our memories here with our life long friends. It was terrible (I mean it’s high school, how good could it be?), but it was fun and worthwhile at the same time. There’s some appreciation for it and, come on, what other high school has a song written for them (thanks, Ty) and Teacher Idol?
2. Bergenline is where everyone went before anyone learned how to drive.
From Banana King and Teri Teri for quick food to Easy Pickins’ and 10 Spot for cheap clothes and shoes, Bergenline was the best street for it all. It’s not super clean or pretty, but it’s convenient and where everyone spent their time in elementary school.
3. After people started driving (and sometimes even before) Edgewater and Hoboken became the newest spots, just because they’re nicer looking.
My friends and I spent summers at the pier in Edgewater just hanging out, and I can bet most of you did, too. Either walking around or just hanging out late at night eating McDonalds, Edgewater was better than NB. The skyline is something you’ve almost gotten used to because you’ve seen it so many times. Hoboken has a bunch of places to eat and a pier, so everyone went there, too.
4. The Bergenline buses were/are your main method of transportation to getting to your friends’ house on 12th St. since you live on 80th.
NB seems like a huge town; I don’t know if it actually is, but 60 blocks seems like a lot when you want to get to your friend’s house and you have to take a bus. Living in NB, you learn to deal with the struggles of having friends live in midtown while you live uptown (or the other way around). Especially in elementary school, you accepted the fact that you would only see those friends in school because your parents would never let you take those sketchy Bergenline buses alone.
5. Walking to school was actually hiking to school if you were fortunate enough to live on one of the many hills in NB.
Did you know some people consider North Bergen the second hilliest city in the U.S.? I’m not at all surprised by that because I live at the bottom of one of NB’s glorious hills. I can tell you that walking to my friends’ houses was hell. Getting anywhere was a challenge in itself because of those terrible hills and sometimes even dangerous. Everyone’s grown up on the stories of Dead Man’s Hill and have a couple of friends who’ve dared to ride their bike down that hill.
6. Boulevard East is the spot for tourists... and photoshoots for every single mildly important event in your life.
For some reason, everyone went to Boulevard East to take their 8th-grade prom pics, quinceañeras, sweet 16's, weddings or family parties. Because of the skyline, there are always tourists there admiring the beautiful view, but you recognize the spot as a popular photo shoot area.
7. Quick Chek is the spot, not Wawa.
After leaving North Bergen, you realize that people everywhere else are addicted to Wawa. We don't have a Wawa anywhere nearby, and you're a little thrown off because you've actually been addicted to Quick Chek the whole time.
8. Noches is also everyone's favorite place to eat because who doesn't love our Hispanic food.
It's awesome how much Hispanic food there is in NB, and you don't grow to appreciate it until after you leave for college and eat approximately 0% Hispanic food. Noches is packed with delicious Colombian food everyone enjoys.
9. 80th St. Park has like 4 official names, one of them not being 80th St Park.
James J. Braddock Park, Hudson County Park, whatever it may be, no one actually calls it that. Everyone knows it as "the park," "80th" or "80th St. Park."
10. The Secaucus movie theater was also the place to be because what else are teens supposed to do?
Chipotle, Panera, Cups and the movies all in one place. It was the perfect place to hang out when you had nothing to do.
11. As much as people hate NB, you can't help but want to come back.
Everything you've ever known is in North Bergen. It's hard to part ways with your childhood and teenage memories, so you don't. Even though NB isn't the best town you could have grown up in, it's a pretty alright place to grow up in and never forget.
